We’re facing the day with a mixture of excitement and dread…

There's a certain brand of stomach lurching anxiety that you only experience when your child's about to be publicly judged.

I came across it the first time my daughter had to perform in her primary school assembly as The Hungry Caterpillar and again whenever she sang in front of an audience.

There's a part of you that's right there with them but, like a bad dream, it's not a part that can do a darn thing to help.

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Through their school years, they've soared, they've dived and suddenly (how did that happen?) it’s time for the big reckoning - A-level exam results!

So, I asked my friends with kids about to get results: 'how are YOU feeling?'

It unleashed a maelstrom of emotions from the front line of parenting…

1.The key feeling... ... a deep internal nausea on an Olympic scale (but without the exotic location). Why does it matter so much? As one parent put it: 'Whilst not the only option, it is getting over these hurdles that make the run to the next set of hurdles more straightforward for your child.'

You are trying to support your child at a major juncture in their life, they trust you and you convinced them to take on a big financial commitment.

‘They are making financial choices in a world where what they could end up doing hasn't been conceived yet alone be close to invented,’ says one friend.

3. Mixed messages If you hear one more report in the media about this year grades being higher/ lower, fees going up/not going up, grades being worthless, the most unfair results in a generation, or school leavers being ill prepared for employment, you’ll SCREAM!

4. Your house has never been so clean Distraction’s a wonderful thing. You've been keeping yourself busy – tidying everything (from the garage to your desk at work), and exercising furiously. Bottom line is you don't have the concentration to do anything requiring brain power so physical activity best.

5. Que Sera You have one friend who is as calm as the Dalai Lama and can only marvel at their steely constitution. I’m spending time with mine this evening (smart move, eh!).

7. You’re no expert Everyone agrees it’s tough out there - far harder than it was for us setting out into adult lives. You have to support your 18 year old to make decisions about their life in a world that seems to go topsy-turvy every couple of years. This year the Brexit vote, next year…who knows!

8. There is an eerie calm in the house at the moment Thank goodness for the wall to wall Olympic coverage!

9. Parental pride Whatever results your child gets, on Thursday they will be under more intense scrutiny than they've ever experienced before. Everyone will want to know what they got - from distant relatives, shopkeepers, possibly even local media.. your friends in Australia and Facebook friends you haven't seen for years. Where’s the rulebook for this? How do you cope with social media boasting – indulge, avoid or share? Yikes! Whatever it’s like for you, remember for them it will be 10 times worse!

10. Stay positive, stay calm The waiting is nearly over and the elephant on the room (that’s been sitting there all summer) is about to charge! Your teen may say they don't want you there on results day but they do. Your job is to instill confidence in them and support them come what may. Good luck!

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